Screening method for anti-microbial drug targets by genome-saturating mutagenesis (gsm)

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a novel method for the identification of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences, in particular microbial sequences. Further, a method for the identification of novel antimicrobial compounds using the obligatory essential nucleic acids and proteins encoded thereby is provided.

[0001] This invention relates to a novel method for the identification of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences, in particular microbial sequences. Further, a method for the identification of novel antimicrobial compounds using the obligatory essential nucleic acids and proteins encoded thereby is provided.

[0002] One of the main achievements of medicine in the past century was the use of antimicrobial drugs to control infectious diseases. However, despite the enormous advances in health care, infectious diseases still account for 25% of deaths worldwide and 45% in low-income countries (http://www.who.int/whr). Prior to the 1980s, bacterial infections in developed countries could be readily treated with available antibiotics. During the 1980s and 1990s however, antibiotic resistant bacterial strains emerged and have become a major therapeutic problem. There are, in fact, strains resistant to essentially all of the commonly used antibacterial agents, which have been observed in the clinical setting. In the United States alone, some 14,000 people are infected and die each year as a result of drug-resistant microbes picked up in hospitals. Around the world, as many as 60% of hospital-acquired infections are caused by drug-resistant microbes. The consequences of the increase in resistant strains include higher morbidity and mortality, longer patient hospitalization, and an increase in treatment costs. In this context a common misconception is that the pharmaceutical industry is frequently making new drug discoveries to replace those drugs that become ineffective in fighting the major infectious diseases. In reality, while new versions of older drugs continue to be developed, there is a dearth of new classes of antibacterials not significantly affected by the existing bacterial resistance mechanisms.

[0003] In the early years of penicillin use pathogens dependend on a single resistance mechanism evolved, whereas many strains found in the clinic today have acquired multiple systems to reduce or avoid the action of an antibiotic. Most threatening of these are mechanisms that involve changes in the target site for antibiotic interaction, conferring levels of resistance to all compounds with that same mechanism of action. Furthermore, the DNA coding for these processes can be transferred between related strains, and the short generation time of many microorganisms facilitates the opportunity for gene selection even during a short course of drug treatment.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a range of new drugs with new mechanims of action, not susceptible to existing resistance mechanisms and in sufficient numbers to reduce reliance on a small number of chemical classes.

[0005] The development of new antibacterial agents can proceed by a variety of methods, but generally fall into at least two categories. The first is the traditional approach of sceening for antibacterial agents without concern for the specific target. The second approach involves the identification of new targets, and the subsequent screening of compounds to find antibacterial agents affecting those targets. Such screening can involve ad any of a variety of methods, including screening for inhibitors of the expression of a gene, or of the product of a gene, or of a pathway requiring that product. However, generally the actual target is a protein, the inhibition of which prevents the growth or pathogenesis of the bacterium. Targets for antiinfectiva can be found by identifying genes encoding proteins essential for bacterial growth.

[0006] Several approaches have been described so far to identify putative essential nucleic acid sequences. These include:

[0007] 1. Signature Tagged Mutagenesis (STM), or Subtractive Recombination Mutagenesis (SRM)

[0008] Both methods are based on insertional mutagenesis, either by transposons or by homologous recombination. Clones with an insertion genotype are generated in vitro and selected by cell culture or a mouse model to identify genes essential for cell growth under in vivo conditions (Patent Application WO 00/73502; Hensel, 1995; Holden, 1998). However, mutants with insertions in genes or operons which are obligatory essential for cells in terms of viability on rich medium cannot be identified by these methods.

[0009] 2. Conditional Mutations Affecting Growth

[0010] This effort to identify genes essential for the growth of Gram-positive bacteria bases on a collection of temperature sensitive mutants generated by chemical or UV mutagenesis (Martin, 1999). It is supposed that gene products which can mutate to conditional lethality are generally considered essential for viability (Schmid, 1998). Mutated colonies are replica plated in duplicate and incubated either under permissive or not permissive growth conditions. Temperature-sensitive mutants are complemented by transformation of a wildtype library into a helper strain followed by phage infection and transduction. Complementing clones of 2-8 kb are characterized further.

[0011] One of the disadvantages of temperature-sensitive mutant strategies is the differential ability of some proteins to achieve thermolabile mutant forms (Harris, 1992; Schmid, 1989). Approximately one third of proteins cannot mutate to a thermolabile form, which makes it difficult to isolate conditional mutants in certain genes. Furthermore, complementation of the selected mutants, sequencing of the complementing genome regions and validation of targets are time intensive. Many targets identified by this approach will already be known proteins like replicases, enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis or protein biosynthesis. Other drawbacks of this approach are that the mapping is not possible without great effort and that random screens for temperature sensitive (TS) mutants can result in jackpots created by repeated isolation of the same mutant classes, presumably because such gene products are particularly easy to mutate to TS alleles. In addition, a few genes have been identified so far that are required for viability at high temperatures, which will lead to false assignment of a few genes as essential under all growth conditions (Schmid, 1998).

[0012] 3. Targeted Knockout Approaches

[0013] Targeted knockout approaches like the Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Bacillus subtilis functional analysis program (Winzeler, 1999) were performed by systematical investigation of every gene in one organism (Loferer, 2000). By genome prioritization, single loci of interest are knocked out or conditionally expressed, and features like cell growth variation or essentiality under different conditions are determined. Targeted knockout approaches are very resource intensive and cannot be applied to a broad range of pathogenic microbes.

[0014] 4. Comparative Genomics (Chalker, 2001; Arigoni, 1998; Hutchison, 1999).

[0015] Comparative genetic analysis of closely related genomes helps to detect differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic variants. Furthermore, genes of yet unknown functions which are conserved in the compact genome of Mycoplasma genitalium have been tested for essentiality in other bacteria using a knockout strategy. A recent approach (WO 00/61793) identified 26 E. coli ORF that are both of unknown function and conserved in the compact genome of Mycoplasma genitalium. Six of the 26 ORF have b en shown to be essential in E. coli (Arigoni, 1998). On the other hand, several genes which are conserved in H. pylori but highly diverged in other eubacteria were screened using a vector-free allelic replacement mutagenesis technique (Chalker, 2001).

[0016] By genome comparison between the two smallest bacterial genomes sequenced so far, Mushegian and Koonin postulated that 256 genes are close to the minimal set that is necessary and sufficient to sustain the existence of a bacterial cell (Mushegian, 1996). However, as shown by (Arigoni, 1998) only 6 of 26 orthologous gene loci in E. coli out of the Mycoplasma set revealed to be essential for viability. An automated BLASTP-based genome comparison to identify E. coil FUN genes resulted in a list of 65 candidate genes which are conserved between several pathogens (WO 00/61793). Among them, 36% gave no deletion genotype.

[0017] Thus, comparative genomics will not cover the whole set of essential nucleic acid sequences of different pathogens. Moreover, only few organism specific genes will be identified by this approach.

[0018] 5. Genomic Footprinting and Transposon Mutagenesis (Wong, 2000; Rubin, 1999; Judson, 2000a; Judson, 2000b; Lehoux, 1999; Takiff, 1992; Akerley, 1998; Reich, 1999; Hare, 2001).

[0019] Transposons provide a further method for defining essential nucleic acid sequences (overview: Judson, 2000b). Conceptually, there are two ways to identify essential genes or regions of the bacterial chromosome: 1) the negative approach, which identifies many regions that are not essential and presumes that everything else is essential (Hutchison III, 1999), and ii) the positive approach Which identifies genes that are essential by generating a conditional mutation and showing that is has a lethal phenotype (Judson, 2000b).

[0020] i) The negative approach can define sites within an otherwise essential ORF that are permissive for insertions. However, it does not identify essential nucleic acid sequences. Further strain construction is required to confirm essentiality of putative essential nucleic acid sequences. Problems posed by operon structures cannot be solved without detailed analysis. PCR-mapping approaches define non-essential regions by in vitro transposition and PCR on a short, defined segment of DNA. Large-scale analysis is resource intensive, expensive and restricted to naturally competent organisms. Global transposon mutagenesis is performed to analyze a large number of a random chromosomal insertions to define regions that cannot be hit. This method is very resource intensive and can only be applied to a limited number of chromosomal loci. Saturation of a genome is not obtainable.

[0021] ii) Positive approaches identify essential nucleic acid sequences by substitution of an essential gene's natural promoter with an inducible one, generating a conditional mutation. For example, the TnAraOut system (Judson, 2000a) uses the arabinose promoter with a large induction ratio. The transposon has a broad host range transposon with a small target sequence. Tn-mutants are replica-plated and incubated either with or without arabinose induction.

[0022] Colonies which do not grow without arabinose might have substituted the promoter of an essential gene by the arabinose-induced promoter. Chromosomal DNA of this mutant is isolated, and the targeted region is cloned or amplified via inverse PCR.

[0023] However, insertions upstream of every essential gene might not be possible. Saturating mutagenesis of a genome is laborious to achieve. One of the reasons lies, in the fact that expression levels of the inducible promoter will not be broad enough to identify every essential gene. This means that an inducible promoter might not provide expression levels which are high enough to overcome the defect created by knocking out the natural promoter. Conversely, basal expression of an inducible promoter might be too high with severe consequences for bacterial growth including bacteriostasis. These genes will not be identified by said method (Judson, 2000b).

[0024] Operon structures pose several problems which are not solved by the positive approaches. For example, polar effects from the presence of an insertion can be severe, limiting insertions upstream of an essential gene. In addition, if translation of a downstream essential gene is coupled to a gene that is disrupted by the presence of the insertion, these insertions will not be found.

[0025] In addition, the size of the target in which an insertion can occur varies will generally be small and depends on the gene. Therefore, it might be difficult or impossible to inhibit certain genes.

[0026] Taken together, no satisfying method to identify obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences of microorganisms which is further quick, easy and upscalable is known from state of the art.

[0027] Thus, the underlying problems leading to the present invention was to provide an improved method for the identification of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences and means for the development of novel antimicrobial drugs that can be used for a broad spectrum of infections or disorders related to microbial infections.

[0028] The solution to the above problem is achieved according to the invention by providing the embodiments characterized in the claims.

[0029] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for the identification of obligatory essential microbial nucleic acid sequences comprising the steps

[0030] (a) providing a conditionally replicating vector, comprising

[0031] (i) a conditionally replicating origin of replication

[0032] (ii) a selectable marker

[0033] (iii) a nucleic acid sequence of a microorganism

[0034] (b) transforming microbial host cells with said conditionally replicating vector, wherein the host cell is selected such that the nucleic acid sequence of (a) (iii) is sufficiently homologous to an endogenous a nucleic acid sequence of the host cell in order to allow homologous recombination

[0035] (c) subjecting the transformed host cells to insertional duplication mutagenesis by homologous recombination, resulting in viable and non viable integrants

[0036] (d) identifying lethal integrants

[0037] (e) characterizing nucleic acid sequences from lethal integrants and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are obligatory essential for the viability of said microorganism.

[0038] In the graph of FIG. 1 an example to perform the method of the invention is depicted without implying any limitations.

[0039] The method as described has several advantages over methods state of the art identifying obligatory essential microbial genes. Some advantages as listed in Table 1 are,:

[0040] Obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby can be exclusively identified.

[0041] The approach can be genome saturating, e.g., all loci that are obligatory for cell viability, can be identified, including those which are yet unknown comprising a large set of nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides.

[0042] The method as presented is faster than comparable approaches, cost effective and easily upscalable.

[0043] The method can be applied to any microorganism with an effective recombination system and for which means of transformation is available.

[0044] Application of the method of the invention to a pathogenic strain results directly in identification of all obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences providing new targets for novel broad-and narrow-range drugs. TABLE 1 Features of different methods identifying obligatory essential nucleic aicd sequences Conditional Transposon- Present lethal Mutagenesis, Comparative invention mutations GAMBIT genomics Genome genome not not not representa- saturating saturating saturating saturating tion (<66%) Range of all all not all application transformable applicable bacteria to all bacteria Identification directly, indirectly, indirectly, limited to of targeted fast resource resource complete gene intensive intensive genome sequences Comparative possible limited limited possible genomics Knockout of all <66% not few unknown saturating ORFs

[0045] If a genome-representing nucleic acid sequence library of a microorganism of interest (also called fragment library) is established in a conditionally replicating vector, the method may comprise a substantially genome saturating mutagenesis. Genome saturating mutagensis according to the invention means that each single clone of a genome-representing library is subjected to the claimed method. “Substantially” means that at least 90%, preferably at least 95% and more preferably at least 99% of the clones are tested. The test may be carried out in a high-throughput system, e. g., in a microtiter plate. An insertion frequency of at least three insertions per kilobase of target DNA, particularly of four to six insertions per kilobase is preferred.

[0046] An important feature of genome saturating mutagenesis according to the invention is that those genomic fragments which are identified and further investigated contain an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence. This is not only an advantage in comparison to a “negative” approach like transposon-mutagenesis that identifies only gene loci which can be disrupted by insertional mutagenesis without loss of cell viabilitiy. Moreover, since every ORF in an operon will be mutagenized, polar effects can be studied rapidly, instead of analyzing an operon by time-consuming subsequent knock out steps. For example, if within an operon of 4 ORF is. FIG. 2) four different intragenic lethal insertions are detected, presumably the ORF at the 3′-end of the operon is the obligatory essential nucleic acid. Thus, a preferred embodiment relates to a method according to the invention, wherein step (c) comprises a substantially genome saturating mutagenesis.

[0047] As stated above, the invention can be applied to any microorganism of interest. A particularly preferred embodiment therefore relates to a method, wherein said nucleic acid sequence of step (a) is derived from a microorganism selected from bacteria and yeasts, particularly from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Organisms of interest thereby can be selected from pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Haemophilus influenzae, Helicobacter pylori, Borrellia burgdorferi, Treponema pallidum, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydium trachomatis and others.

[0048] The method as claimed herein comprises several steps, which are described in more detail below:

[0049] Step (a) Comprises Providing a Conditionally Replicating Vector

[0050] A conditionally replicating vector useful in the present invention comprises a conditionally replicating origin of replication.

[0051] In general, vectors comprise defined regions called “origin of replication” that are activated by the binding of replication proteins. A conditionally replicating vector replicates only under certain conditions, e. g. in the presence of a specific replication protein. Thus, such a conditionally replicating vector does not replicate in a host strain without replication protein or due to a lack of expression of the protein. Furthermore, a protein which is necessary for the replication of the vector, might be active only under certain conditions, e. g. at a certain temperature (which is called permissive temperature). At another temperature (which is called non-permissive), the replication protein might be inactive.

[0052] Conditional inactivation of a replication protein can occur by mutagenesis of its gene sequence. A mutation can result in changing the amino acid sequence of the replication protein providing a protein which still might be active under permissive temperature. However, under non-permissive conditions, temperature, the protein is inactive due to its mutations. Inactive means that the protein does not bind to the origin of replication in the same manner as the wild-type protein. Temperature shifts from permissive to non-permissive temperature results in conformational changes in the mutated replication protein, followed by protein inactivation and lack of vector, replication. Therefore, such a protein is called temperature-sensitive (Maguin, 1992).

[0053] A replication protein: necessary for vector replication can be encoded by the vector itself, by an additional vector or chromosomally and, if desired, under control of a regulatory expression control sequence.

[0054] In addition, a conditionally replicating vector as used herein comprises a selectable marker. A selectable marker is any genetic region carried by a plasmid that alters the ability of a cell harboring the plasmid to grow or survive in a given growth environment relative to a similar cell lacking the selectable marker. Thus, a selection of bacterial cells harboring said vector in favor to cells which do not harbor said vector can be performed. Preferably, a selectable marker provides resistance to an antibacterial compound (antibiotic resistance marker). However, other selectable markers are known from state of the art. Auxotrophy markers e. g., allow growth of an otherwise not viable cell by complementing a genetic defect of said cell.

[0055] A bacterial strain harboring a conditionally replicating vector can be cultivated under permissive conditions, e. g., permissive temperature, and under selectable conditions. A shift to non-permissive temperature results in lack of replication of the conditionally replicating vector. That means that during bacterial growth at non permissive temperature, copies of the vector are subsequently segregated, and due to loss of the vector the bacteria cannot grow further.

[0056] Examples for conditionally replicating vectors are temperature-sensitive plasmids like pVE6007 or pK03 (Link, 1997; Biswas, 1993). The origin-specific replication protein usually defines the factor which is responsible for temperature sensitivity because of mutations of its amino sequence. The replication protein is encoded either on the plasmid itself or on the chromosome (temperature-sensitive vector). Non-permissive temperature renders the replication protein inactive due to changes in its conformation. An example for an improved conditionally replicating vector is pIDM (FIG. 3) that can be applied to Gram-negative and to Gram-positive microorganisms. An important feature of the pIDM-vector is that in addition to the origin of replication and the selectable marker, it harbors the temperature-sensitive replication protein which therefore must not be provided in trans.

[0057] Furthermore, the conditionally replicating vector as used herein contains genomic nucleic acid sequences (fragments) of a microorganism. These nucleic acid sequences are preferably of a defined length of about 200 to 2000 bp, more preferably of about 300 to 600 bp and can be generated by cleaving chromosomal DNA by appropriate restriction enzymes or by random PCR amplification (Froussard, 1992). The nucleic acid sequences are inserted into the vector by ligation with a linearized vector molecule. This ligation occurs at a specific site within a conditionally replicating vector called cloning site. A cloning site may be a multiple cloning site and may allow the selection for vector molecules with inserted nucleic acid sequence (insert) against those without insert. An example for such a selection system is called blue/white selection by alpha-complementation of the LacZ protein as described by (Sambrook, 1989).

[0058] If the cloned fragments are of an appropriate high number and represent the complete genome of an microorganism, each chromosomal nucleic acid sequence is cloned at least once. Thus, the pool of recombinant vector molecules are called a genome-representing nucleic acid sequence or fragment library.

[0059] Step (b) comprises transforming microbial host cells with said conditionally replicating vector. A vector molecule or a vector with inserted fragment or a fragment library as defined under (a) can be transformed into microbial host cells by any suitable method for example by electroporation, protoplasts, liposome's, calcium phosphate, DEAE dextran, calcium chloride etc. Preferably, the vector pIDM (FIG. 3) as described herein or a derivative thereof is used.

[0060] Host cells can be transformed in pools or, preferably, as single cells. Transformants are cultivated under permissive conditions. Selection of transformed bacteria can be performed via the selectable marker. A transformant as used herein means a bacterial host cell that harbors the conditionally replication vector with or without genomic insert. Growth of transformed cells under selective pressure takes place preferably under permissive conditions.

[0061] Step (c) Comprises Subjecting the Transformed Host Cells to Insertional Duplication Mutagenesis by Homologous Recombination

[0062] A conditionally replicating vector containing a genomic nucleic acid sequence of a microorganism can be used for insertional duplication mutagenesis (IDM) (Patent Application WO 00/73502; Maguin, 1992; Hashimoto-Gotoh, 1981; Kok, 1984; Metcalf, 1994, Metcalf, 1996; Link, 1997).

[0063] The term “IDM” as used herein means that an extrachromosomal nucleic acid sequence can recombine with an identical chromosomal nucleic acid sequence in the presence of an effective recombination system provided by the host cell thereby resulting in an insertional duplication as described below. This event called “homologous recombination” occurs statistically at a rate of 3.0E-02 to 5.0E-5 (Biswas, 1993) and depends on the length of the sequence and/or the chromosomal site of integration.

[0064] If said genomic fragment is cloned in a vector like a conditionally replicating vector, homologous recombination and therefore “IDM” can occur at permissive conditions and results in insertion of the vector into the chromosome (FIG. 4). Under permissive conditions the vector is able to a replicate. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention insertional mutagenesis of step (c) takes place under permissive conditions, allowing the provided vector in step (a).

[0065] During recombination, a so-called “cointegrate” between both nucleic acid sequences (vector and chromosome) is formed, resulting in chromosomal insertion (resulting in an insertional genotype) and duplication of said sequence (FIG. 4). The term “insertional genotype” as used herein means a cell whose chromosome is characterized by a cointegrate formation between a cloned nucleic acid sequence and its homologue on the chromosome.

[0066] The integration rate per cell depends on the length of the cloned genomic nucleic acid, the copy number of the vector and/or the, chromosomal structure. The term “chromosome” as used herein includes the whole genome of a microbial cell. Plasmids encoding any cell function are part of the chromosome per definition.

[0067] Under permissive conditions, an equilibrium between extrachromosomally (in trans) replicating and chromosomally inserted vector is established. The term “extrachromosomally” as used herein means that the vector replicates within the cytosol.

[0068] On the other hand, under non-permissive conditions, the equilibrium is completely shifted to chromosomally inserted vectors and thereby to insertional genotypes. Cells in which the vector is inserted via homologous recombination, are called “integrants”. If the respective fragment is part of an open reading frame (ORF), this ORF is disrupted by the insertion and thus mutagenized. If a genome-representing fragment library is derived from a microbial organism and transformed into the same organism as a host, homologous recombination and mutagenesis can be directed to any site of the chromosome. Insertional genotypes or integrants are only viable if integration has taken place in a non essential nucleic acid sequence. To the contrary, insertional mutagenesis of an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence is not viable per definition. Selection for integrants occurs via the plasmid-encoded selectable marker.

[0069] Step (d) Comprises Identifying Lethal Integrants

[0070] Colonies obtained by transformation of a genome-representing fragment library into a microorganism can be isolated in rich medium or other growth medium. This results in a genome-representing library of isolated transformants, each of them harboring a clonal copy of a conditionally replicating vector like the pIDM-vector with a specific genomic nucleic acid sequence. During growth of these transformants, clonal division takes place. “Clonal division” as used herein means that two types of cells exist within one single clone: cells with the conditionally replicating vector in trans (e. g., extrachromosomally) or cells with chromosomally inserted vector via homologous recombination.

[0071] These two types of cells can be separated in a step called “replica plating”. The term “replica plating” as used herein means that a defined number of clonal or clonal divisioned microbial cells (e. g., a single colony or a defined dilution of this single colony obtained in step (b)) is grown under permissive and under non permissive conditions. Under selective pressure and non permissive conditions only cells with a chromosomally inserted vector will grow, whereas the other type of cells with a extrachromosomal vector will not grow due to segregation of the conditionally replicating vector and consequent loss of resistance against the selection marker. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method, wherein identifying lethal integrants of step (d) is performed by replica plating. The lethal integrants may be identified by other suitable methods.

[0072] By separating the two types of cells by replica plating as described herein, a screening for clones, preferably single clones, can be performed which are characterized by a lack of viable integrants. The latter represent cells with an insertion into an obligatory nucleic acid sequence since integration of a vector containing an intragenic fragment of an obligatory essential sequence is lethal for the respective cell.

[0073] The term “obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence” as used herein means that an intact copy of such a sequence is necessary for bacterial growth. Thus, clones without viable insertional genotype can be identified by replica plating (FIG. 1).

[0074] Using a genome-representing fragment library, the method is genome-saturating and all clones with a fragment being part of an obligatory nucleic acid sequence can be identified by replica plating as described herein.

[0075] In accordance with the above, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method, wherein replica plating is performed using permissive and non-permissive conditions and lethal integrants are identified by separating viable and non viable integrants of step (c) under permissive conditions versus non-permissive conditions.

[0076] Clones without viable insertional genotype under non permissive conditions screened by replica plating as described under (d) can be characterized further by any suitable method, e. g., amplification of nucleic acids, preferably via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, characterizing the lethal integrants in step (e) comprises nucleic acid amplification, particularly PCR.

[0077] The fragments obtained by nucleic acid amplification can be sequenced starting at the cloning site. Using data base searches, the obtained sequence can be compared to sequence information, e.g., the complete genome sequence available for the mutagenized organism or a related organism. The chromosomal site which has been targeted by insertional mutagenesis can thereupon be mapped to analyze its chromosomal structure in terms oil operon structure, promoter consensus sequences and other features important for the identification of the obligatory essential gene or sequence. An obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence can thereby either be identified as an obligatory essential gene or as a regulatory sequence like an enhancer or a promoter. The nucleic acid sequence of a gene can be translated, and the obtained amino acid sequence can be compared to proteins in known databases. In case that no sequence information is available of the nucleic acid sequences of the microorganism which has been investigated, the flanking regions have to be sequenced.

[0078] Step (e) comprises characterizing nucleic acid sequences from lethal integrants and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are obligatory essential for the viability of said microorganism.

[0079] The obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence identified by the method can have different functions in terms of viability of the microorganism. However, the targeted sequence is not necessarily an essential gene or sequence itself but can cause cell death due to polar effects.

[0080] The term “polar effects” as used herein means that a lethal phenotype is not due to the mutagenesis of the sequence itself for which a lethal insertional mutagenesis was obtained. For example, if the genes of an operon are transcriptionally or translationally coupled, insertional mutagenesis of o hers than the obligatory essential gene might be lethal.

[0081] Characterization of a nucleic acid sequence and/or polypeptide encoded thereby which is essential for cell viability can be performed in several steps:

[0082] If the identified fragment is part of an operon according to the annotation data, polar effects might be responsible for the lethal genotype of the IDM of the respective fragment. Therefore, sequences within the same operon can be devised to IDM. For example, intragenic fragments of genes which were not identified via the described method can be cloned into a conditionally replicating vector, and subsequent IDM of all sequences of an operon can be performed.

[0083] Non polar gene deletions of the respective locus can be introduced to identify the obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence; thus, any polar effects can be excluded. Examples for this strategy are described by (Brown, 1995; Chalker, 2001). Gene deletions are in trans complemented with the wild-type allele under the control of an inducible promoter.

[0084] From the results of the method, a chromosomal map can be established. This map shows all sequences which are are linked with viability of the investigated microorganism. Thus, if an insertion has taken place within an operon, other lethal recombination events within the respective operon or gene complex have to be investigated.

[0085] The identification and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are essential for the viability of microorganisms can be performed via comparative genomics. Thus, a preferred embodiment relates to a method, wherein characterization of nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are essential for the viability of said microorganisms comprises comparative genomics. Furthermore, a particularly preferred embodiment relates to a method, wherein comparative genomis comprises the identification of orthologs. The tern) “orthologs” as used herein means nucleic acid sequences that are related by vertical descent from a common ancestor by species diversification and may encode proteins with the same or a similar function in different species. Usually, orthologs retain the same function in the course of evolution. However, orthologous genes may or may not be responsible for a similar function (for review see the glossary of the “Trends Guide to Bioinformatics”, Trends Supplement 1998, Elsevier Science). Orthologous genes, nucleic acids or proteins comprise genes, nucleic acids or proteins which have one or more sequences or structural motifs in common, for example protein binding boxes or structure forming boxes. The sequence motifs of proteins can comprise short, i. e. repetitive sequences or amino acid positions conserved in the primary structure and/or conserved in higher protein structures, e. g., secondary or tertiary structure. Methods like BLAST searches for the identification of a candidate ortholog of a gene or a polypeptide are known to those skilled in the art. Having defined a nucleic acid sequence, a polypeptide encoded thereby and/or an ortholog which is responsible for the viability of a microorganism, can be further investigated as a drug target. The term “drug target” as used herein comprises nucleic acids, polypeptides, orthologs, regulatory sequences and/or fragments thereof. For target prioritization, comparative genomics can be performed using the results of step (e). In case a nucleic acid sequence was identified and characterized as an obligatory essential gene, it can be translated into a sequence of amino acids. Nucleic acids and/or polypeptides sequences can be compared to other microbial amino acid sequences or to sequencs of eukaryotes, also humans, via data base search. Nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are found in many or all pathogens but not in eukaryotes are preferred targets for broad range antibiotics. Nucleic acid sequences and/or encoded polypeptides for which homologue and/or ortholog sequences are found in no or only a few other pathogens can selected as targets for narrow-range antibiotics. In accordance, another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the method according to the invention for the identification and/or prioritization of drug targets in microorganisms.

[0086] As described, a novel method for the identification of obligatory essential microbial nucleic acid sequences is provided. Therefore, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a nucleic acid, obtainable by the method comprising an obligatory essential microbial sequence, particularly for the identification of an antimicrobial compound. Preferably, a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention comprises a coding sequence encoding at least tie mature form of a polypeptide or protein, i. e. the protein which is posttranslationally processed in its biologically active form, for example due to cleavage of leader or secretory sequences or a proprotein sequence or other natural proteolytic cleavage points.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a nucleic acid, comprising (a) a sequence derived form a region as shown in Table 3 or in Table 4 in operative linkage to 5 kbp upstream or downstream or preferably 1 kbp upstream or downstram to this region, the complement thereof or an ortholog or a protein coding fragment thereof, (b) a sequence of (a) comprising degeneration of the genetic code or (c) a sequence hybridizing under stringent conditions with one of the sequences of (a) and/or (b). Stringent hybridization conditions in the sense of the present invention are defined as those described by (Sambrook, 1989). According to this, hybridization under stringent conditions means that a positive hybridization signal is still observed after washing for 1 hour with 1×SSC buffer and 0.1% SDS at 55° C. preferably at 62° C. and most preferably at 68° C., in particular, for 1 hour in 0.2×SSC buffer and 0.1% SDS at 55° C., preferably at 62° C. and most preferably at 68° C.

[0088] In a still further aspect the present invention relates to an obligatory essential microbial nucleic acid, comprising (a) a sequence derived form a region as shown in Table 3 or in Table 4 in operative linkage to 5 kbp upstream or downstream or preferably 1 kbp upstream or downstream to this region, the complement thereof, an ortholog or a protein coding fragment thereof, (b) a sequence of (a) comprising degeneration of the genetic code or (c) a sequence hybridizing under stringent conditions with one of the sequences of (a) and/or (b).

[0089] Degeneration of the genetic code as used herein means any variation of the nucleic acid of which deviates in its primary structure, e. g., in sequence composition or in length as well as to ortholog components.

[0090] A plurality of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences can be provided as an array, i. e. a plurality of sequences is provided on specific areas on a solid support, e.g., a nucleic acid chip. A further aspect of the present invention therefore relates to a nucleic acid array, comprising at least two of the nucleic acid sequences as described, preferably in an immobilized form. The arry may be used for diagnostic purposes or in a method for identifying new drugs.

[0091] In a still further aspect the present invention also relates to a vector, comprising at least lone of the nucleic acid sequences described above or a corresponding fragment thereof. An other aspect of the invention therefore pertains to a cell, transformed with a nucleic acid or the recombinant vector as described. The cell may be a prokaryotic cell such as a Gram-negative or Gram-positive cell, or it can be an eukaryotic cell, such as yeast. Transformation of the conditionally replicating vector of the present invention representing chromosomal fragments of a microorganism of interest into a host cell results in a plurality of different transformants. Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention relates to a bank of transformants, comprising at least two microorganisms, transformed with a vector as described.

[0092] The method of the present invention provides means for the identification of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences in microorganisms. Furthermore, it provides means for the identification and characterization of polypeptides or fragments thereof, encoded by said nucleic acids. An other aspect of the invention therefore relates to a polypeptide, (a) encoded by a nucleic acid sequence as described, a fragment or derivative thereof or (b) encoded by a sequence which is 60%, preferred 65% and particularly preferred 70% homologous to a nucleic acid sequence as described, a fragment or derivative thereof.

[0093] Percent (%) homology are determined according to the following equation: $H = {\frac{n}{L} \times 100}$

[0094] wherein H are % homology, L is the length of the basic sequence and n is the number of nucleotide or amino acid differences of a sequence to the given basic sequence.

[0095] The terms “fragment” or “derivative” denotes any variant the amino acid deviates in its primary structure, e. g., in sequence composition or in length as well as to analogue components. For example, one or more amino acids of a polypeptide may be replaced in said fragment or derivative as long as the modified polypeptides remain functionally equivalent to their described counterparts.

[0096] One or more of the polypeptides as described may be complexed with one or more other polypeptides which may be homologous or heterologous polypeptides in vivo. Those proteins are called oligomers, and their single components are called subunits. An example for an heteromeric polypeptide is the E. Coli membrane-bound enzyme nitrate reductase which contains three subunits. Furthermore, metalloenzymes contain the inorganic cations as stably bound components of the enzyme complex.

[0097] Enzymes often are dimers or polymers consisting of homologous and/or heterologous proteins. Thus, only a native protein complex might have an enzymatic activity. To provide such a protein complex, monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against one of the subunits of the complex can be generated. If antibodies are provided with an affinity tag, the protein complexed with other proteins can be separated from other cellular components by affinity chromatography. Therefore, complexes of polypeptides can be subjected to immunoprecipitation, e. g. with antibodies as described, in order to identify homologous or heterologous polypeptides which might be associated. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention relates to a complex of at least one polypeptide or a fragment thereof with at least one other polypeptide.

[0098] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an antibody which is specific for an aforementioned polypeptide or fragment thereof. Antibodies directed against a polypeptide as described may be prepared by any of a variety of methods using immunogens or epitopes of the polypeptide. Such immunogens include the full length polypeptide (which may or may not include the leader sequence) and fragments such as the ligand binding domain, the extracellular domain and the intracellular domain. These antibodies can be monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies or synthetic antibodies as well as fragments of antibodies, such as Fab+, Fv, F(ab′)2, disulphide-bridged Fv or scFv fragments, etc. Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared, for example, by the techniques as original described in (Kohler, 1975), or in Harlow and Lane “Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual”, CSH Press, Cold Spring Harbor, 1988.

[0099] A nucleic acid sequence as described can be directly used as a target for an antimicobial drug. A specific drug may bind to the essential nucleic acid and thereby functionally inactivate the nucleic acid, so that the affected microorganism is no longer viable and gets eliminated. Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention relates to the use of such a nucleic acid sequence as a drug target.

[0100] In order to identify drugs which are suitable as broad range antibiotics or rather to the contrary as narrow range antibiotics, the nucleic acid sequences can be used for the identification of corresponding targets in other microorganisms. This can be performed as described by comparative genomics. In accordance, still an other aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a nucleic acid for the identification of homologous nucleic acids in other microorganisms.

[0101] However, not only an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence as described can be used as a drug target, but also a polypeptide which is encoded by the latter. The present invention therefore also relates to the is use of a polypeptide as a drug target. In accordance, a complex of at least one polypeptides with at least one other polypeptide can be an adequate target for drugs. Therefore, a still further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a complex as described as a drug target.

[0102] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an antibody for the identification of a drug target, wherein said drug target comprises at least one polypeptide or a fragment thereof as described, optionally complexed with at least one other polypeptide. As described, an antibody according to the invention can be used for immunoprecipitations in order to identify polypeptide complexes which are suitable as drug targets.

[0103] Genome saturating mutagenesis (GSM) as described in the present invention can be applied to any transformable organism with an effective recombination system. The term “genome saturating mutagenesis” as described before means that every gene or genomic nucleic acid sequence of an organism is targeted by mutagenesis at least once.

[0104] Using the method of the invention, every single locus is the target of insertional mutagenesis without any limitations concerning target sequence specificity. Accordingly, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the identification of essential nucleic acid sequences comprising genome saturating mutagenesis.

[0105] Only recently, a negative approach was performed to identify essential nucleic acid sequences of the minimal Mycoplasma genome, whereby all viable transposon insertions were displayed on a Mycoplasma map. However, this approach is very resource intensive as discussed above, and obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences (sequences for which no viable transposon insertions can be found) were identified only indirectly.

[0106] To the contrary, applying GSM to an organism, a map of all sites of this organism can be obtained which are associated with cell viability and are therefore supposed to be part of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences. Thus, the minimal genome of the investigated organism, preferably a microorganism, can be defined in vitro.

[0107] Using GSM as described in the present invention, several of the numerous bacterial genes without known function can be identified as obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences. Furthermore, using comparative genomics, several of them can be characterized as organism-specific, suitable for the selection as a target for narrow-range antibiotics.

[0108] In the present invention a novel method for the identification of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences, in particular microbial sequences, and polypeptides encoded thereby is provided. The nucleic acids, polypeptides encoded thereby and/or corresponding complexes can be used as drug targets and/or for the identification of drugs. Another aspect of the invention therefore relates to a method for the screening and/or identification of an antimicrobial compound, wherein a nucleic acid sequence as described and/or polypeptide or corresponding fragment or derivative thereof is Used. The term “compound” as used herein comprises both natural and synthetic molecules, nucleic acids such as antisense molecules, vectors comprising antisense molecules or nucleic acid sequences encoding an antagonist or inhibitor, cells comprising antisense molecules or nucleic acids encoding an antagonist or inhibitor, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, proteinaqueous or non proteinaqueous compounds and/or antibodies. Said compounds can be functional derivatives or analogues of known inhibitors or antagonists. The term “antagonist” or “inhibitor” as used herein means naturally occurring and synthetic compounds capable of counteracting with or inhibiting the activity of a nucleic: acid sequence, preferably a gene or gene product, or interactions of the gene or gene product with other genes or gene products or counteracting with or inhibiting the activity of a polypeptide or complex of polypeptides.

[0109] Compounds or plurality of compounds can be identified from large libraries of both natural product and synthetic (or semi-synthetic) extracts or chemical libraries according to methods known in the art. The term “plurality of compounds” is to be understood as a plurality of compounds which may or may not be identical.

[0110] Those skilled in the art know that the precise source of test extracts or compounds is not critical to the screening procedure of the invention. Numerous methods are available for generating random or directed synthesis of any n lumber of chemical compounds, including, but not limited to, saccharide-, lipid-, peptide-, and nucleic acid based compounds.

[0111] Natural and synthetically produced libraries can be produced according to methods known in the art, e. g. by standard extraction, fractionation and purification methods resulting in the careful characterization and identification of a chemical entity within a crude extract having the desired activity. Furthermore, if desired, any library or compound is readily modified using standard chemical, physical, or biochemical methods.

[0112] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method, comprising the steps (a) providing an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence, an ortholog and/or polypeptide encoded thereby and (b) identifying a compound capable of modulating the activity of the latter.

[0113] Modulating the activity of a nucleic acid sequence or a polypeptide encoded thereby means that its activity is at least reduced or preferably inhibited, either by annealing or direct binding or by annealing or binding to a corresponding complex consisting of at least one of the polypeptides. In order to identify a compound fulfilling this requirement by drug discovery, a obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence, orthologs and/or polypeptides encoded thereby c an be used as target compound.

[0114] Screening technologies are enzymatic, cell-based, reporter-gene or radio-ligand assays. Other technologies are filter binding assays, “real time” measuring of interaction using, for example, the BIAcore apparatus (Pharmacia), or fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). All these methods can be used in accordance with the present invention to identify specific compounds capable of modulating the activity of one or more nucleic acid sequences or encoded polypeptides as described.

[0115] Any molecule from the above described compound libraries can be screened by contacting the nucleic acid and/or the polypeptide or a corresponding fragment thereof with one or more test compounds.

[0116] Contacting means that a compound screening is performed, providing appropriate conditions to allow and measure any interaction between compounds and targets.

[0117] It is well known to a person skilled in the art that several technologies are available to perform compound screening, and compound libraries from different sources can be tested against targets from this invention. Target molecules can be prepared for compound screening in multiple forms, e. g. nucleic acids can be bound to filter membranes. Corresponding polypeptides of nucleic acids from this invention can be provided with one or more tags to allow purification by affinity chromatography or to allow binding of targets to magnetic particles loaded with nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni:NTA).

[0118] Display-systems can be used to identify surrogate ligands for a given target (Loferer, 2000). Surrogate ligands are short peptides that bind with high affinity to a target protein inhibiting its function. Examples for display-systems are DsbA (PCT/EP 94/02486) or the autotransporter system AIDA (WO97/35022). Polypeptides as described herein are translocated as passengers of a transporter protein across the the inner and outer membrane and exposed on the outer membrane. Immobilized target proteins are contacted with clonal bacterial cells displaying a peptide library. Cells with high affinity to the respective target are isolated, and the primary sequence of the high-affinity binding peptide can be obtained.

[0119] In a different approach using phage display, randomized peptides are displayed from phages and screened by affinity chromatography to an immobilized receptor (WO 91/17271, WO 92101047).

[0120] Binding studies as described above can be performed as “high-throughput screening”. It is well known in the art that either the presented polypeptides or tie compounds or polypeptides have to be linked to a tag (e. g. a chromatophor) that enable detection and quantification of binding activities. Using a solid phase system, either the investigated polypeptide or cell or compound library or combinatorial library is bound to a coated surface. Binding of one component to the immobilized component can be detected by, for example, scintillation proximity assays (SPA), fluorescence polarization, or surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

[0121] In accordance with the above, a further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method, comprising the steps (a) providing an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence, an ortholog and/or polypeptide encoded thereby and (b) identifying a compound capable of modulating the activity thereof, wherein step (b) comprises:

[0122] (i) contacting the nucleic acid and/or the polypeptide or a corresponding fragment thereof with one or more test compounds and

[0123] (ii) determining whether said test compounds binds to said nucleic acid or said polypeptide.

[0124] Bacteria, for which it was shown that a nucleic acid sequence and/or polypeptide is encoded thereby is obligatory essential as described herein, can be used in a proliferation assay to identify both ligands and potential antagonists or inhibitors to said nucleic acids and/or polypeptides. Methods to determine growth and proliferation of bacteria are well known in the art, for example in Drews, Mikrobiol. Praktikum, Berlin, 1976.

[0125] Thus, a further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method, comprising the steps (a) providing an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence, an ortholog and/or polypeptide encoded thereby and (b) identifying a compound capable of modulating the activity thereof, wherein step (b) comprises:

[0126] (i) contacting a bacterial cell with one or more test compounds and

[0127] (ii) determining whether said contacting leads to cell growth inhibition and/or cell death.

[0128] A compound, shown to contact or bind to the nucleic acid and/or the polypeptide encoded thereby as described might be an antagonist or inhibitor of the activity of the latter.

[0129] As has been described, an obligatory essential nucleic acid can serve as a target for an antagonist or inhibitor. Antagonists may comprise of, for example, polypeptides that bind to the mRNA of said gene, thereby destabilizing the native conformation of the mRNA and disturbing the transcription and/or translation.

[0130] Potential antagonists/inhibitors further include antisense molecules. Antisense technology is well known in the art and discussed, for example, in Okano, 1991; Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988). Triple helix formation is discussed in, for instance, Cooney, 1988.

[0131] As indicated, an antagonist or inhibitor may be a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody according to the the present invention. Antibody production is well known in the art.

[0132] A compound useful as an antagonist or inhibitor of the activity of an essential nucleic acid sequence and/or polypeptide encoded thereby as defined above provides the key for an antimicrobial therapy since the antagonist or inhibitor stops or reduces bacterial growth and/or mediates bacterial death. Said compound may prove useful as a pesticide, and/or antibiotic. A preferred embodiment of the invention therefore relates to a method, wherein said compound is an antagonist or inhibitor.

[0133] In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method, wherein said compound is further modified, e. g., by peptidomimetics or by applying phage display or combinatorial library techniques.

[0134] Peptidomimetics, phage display and combinatorial library techniques are well known in the art and can be applied by the person skilled in the art without further ado to the improvement of the antagonist or inhibitor that is identified by the basic method referred to herein above with the help of computer modelling, chemical derivatization and other.

[0135] Biological assays as described above or other assays such as assays based on crystallography or NMR may be employed to assess the specificity or potency of the antagonist or inhibitor wherein the decrease of one or more activities of the polypeptide may be used to monitor said specificity or potency. All techniques employed in the various steps of the method of the invention are conventional or can be derived by the person skilled in the art from conventional techniques without further ado.

[0136] Finally, the antagonist or inhibitor can be modified to improve its binding affinity or its potency and specificity by means well known in the art. If, for instance, there are electrostatic interactions between a particular residue of an polypeptide and some region of an antagonist or inhibitor molecule, the overall charge in that region can be modified to increase that particular interaction.

[0137] In accordance with the above, in a further aspect the present invention also relates to a compound, obtainable by the method as described. A preferred embodiment relates to a compound, comprising specific binding to one or more of the nucleic acids and/or to a polypeptide or fragment encoded thereby as described. According to the method, in a further preferred embodiment the compound is capable of reducing microbial growth and/or causing microbial death.

[0138] In order to screen and/or identify an antimicrobial compound according to the invention, in another aspect a kit can be provided which contains one or more obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences and/or one or more polypeptides encoded thereby and additionally one or more compounds.

[0139] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising as active agent either a nucleic acid or a vector or a cell or an antibody or a compound according to the invention. As is evident from the above, said composition comprises at least one of the aforementioned antagonists or inhibitors.

[0140] The term “composition”, as used herein, comprises at least one small molecule or molecule as identified above, which can be a compound a polypeptide, an antigenic fragment of said polypeptide, a fusion protein, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector and/or a cell containing a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention and/or an antibody as described. The composition may be in solid, liquid or gaseous form and may be, inter alia, in form of (a) powder (s), (a) tablet (s), (a) solution (s) or (an) aerosol (s).

[0141] The active agents of the invention appear to function against nucleic acid sequenences or gene products which are obligatory essential in several strains or genera of bacteria. Accordingly, they may be used to slow, stop, or reverse bacterial growth of a wide spectrum of bacteria and can be formulated for therapeutic use as pharmaceutical compositions. The compositions can include, depending on the formulation desired, pharmaceutically acceptable, usually sterile, non-toxic carriers or diluents, which are defined as vehicles commonly used to formulate pharmaceutical compositions for animal or human administration. Those diluents or carrier are well known in the art. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition for pharmaceutical use, optionally in a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier.

[0142] The pharmaceutical composition of the invention can comprise further agents such as interleukins, interferons and/or CpG-containing DNA stretches, depending on the intended use of the pharmaceutical composition. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention therefore relates to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising one or more further active ingredients for simplifying or supporting the treatment of bacterial infections or disorders or diseases related to bacterial infections, such as an antibiotic and/or cytokine.

[0143] In accordance with the above, a further aspect relates to the use of an composition for the prevention and/or therapy of microbial infections. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment the invention relates to the use of a compound, comprising the inactivation and/or death of microorganisms by modulating the activity of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences or polypeptides encoded thereby. Accordingly, the invention also relates to a method for treating or preventing bacterial infections or diseases or disorders related to bacterial infections comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof an antagonist or inhibitor identified herein above, optionally comprised in a pharmaceutical composition as described.

[0144] The following examples serve to explain the method of the invention in more detail, without implying any limitations.

EXAMPLES

[0145] Construction of a Random PCR Fragment Library (Froussard, 1992) using a Temperature-Sensitive Plasmid pIDM001 (Fuchs, 2001)

[0146] Chromosomal DNA is prepared as described (Sambrook, 1989). Genome-representing fragments are generated by Klenow enzyme with the chromosomal DNA as a template using random primer as described in Froussard, 1992; Patent Application WO 00/73502, or others. PCR primer are designed which are identical to the non-random 5′-stretch of the random primer, and PCR amplification using purified Klenow-fragments as template is performed. Generated fragments of 350-500 base pairs length are eluated, KpnI-restricted, and purified with a GFX DNA preparation kit. Restricted fragments are ligated with dephosphorylated, KpnI-restricted vector pIDM001 (FIG. 5) for 2.5 hours at 24° C. Ligated DNA is transformed into repA-wildtype strain EC101 and grown under permissive temperature (30° C.) in the presence of 17.5 μg/ml tetracycline for three days to a diameter of 2 mm. Plasmid-DNA from these clones is isolated using the GFX plasmid preparation kit.

[0147] Transformation of S. enterica ssp. Typhimurium

[0148] Plasmid-DNA is transformed into S. enterica ssp. Typhimurium. For this purpose, cells of S. enterica ssp. Typhimurium are prepared as described by (Sambrook, 1989) An aliquot of these “competent cells” is transformed with 100 ng of the plasmid DNA described in (a) (Sambrook, 1989). Transformed cells are appropriately diluted and plated on agar plates containing rich medium with tetracyclin (17.5 μg/μl).

[0149] Insertional Duplication Mutagenesis by Homologous Recombination

[0150] Insertional duplication mutagenesis by homologous recombination occurs during bacterial growth. Colonies grown after 56 h at permissive temperature are isolated into 96 well containing 200 μl LB-medium (tetracyclin 17.5 μl/ml). Cells are vortexed carefully.

[0151] Identifying Lethal Integrants by Replica Plating and Characterizing Lethal Integrants by Nucleic Acid Amplification

[0152] 15-17 μl of the bacterial suspension are dropped on LB agar plates containing 17.5 μg/ml tetracycline, followed by incubation at 38.5° C. for 24 h. Colonies without viable genotype are characterized further by PCR using two plasmid specific primers which bind at both sides of the cloning site of the vector. The sequences of the two primers are, 5′-ataccgtcgacctcgag-3′ and 5′-ccatggaagagcgcccaatacg-3′. PCR is performed using an appropriate aliquot of the cell suspension as a template. PCR is performed as follows: 95° C., 5═; 95° C., 30″, 53° C., 30″, 72° C., 40″, 35 cycles. Clones with a positive signal (insert) are streaked out on LB agar plates and incubated for 48 h at 30° C. The integration rate per cell is determined by plating appropriate dilutions of a single colony on two series of LB agar plates (17.5 μg/ml tetracycline) followed by incubation at permissive (30° C.) and non-permissive temperature (37° C.). Master microtiter plates are incubated for 30 h at 30° C., and glycerin is added to a final concentration of 10-20%. Finally, the plates are softly vortexed and stored at −80° C.

[0153] Target Identification

[0154] Examples for target identification are listed in Table 2. PCR-amplified fragments from (d) are purified by GFX-columns (Pharmacia) and sequenced using primers that start near the cloning site of the fragments. Two primers are used for sequencing: a) 5′-gggaacaaaagctgggtacc-3′; b) 5′-atgaccatgattacgccaagc-3′. The obtained sequence is analysed for vector-specific and fragment-specific nucleotides. Only fragment specific nucleotide sequences are devised to data analysis using the following data bases: http://genome.wustl.edu/gsc/bacterial/salmonella.shtml

[0155] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[0156] http://www.sanger.ac.uk/

[0157] Blast searches using the above mentioned data bases are performed with the sequences 9. 83, 13.17, 14.65 and 27.13 to identify homologous nucleotide sequences. All sequences are compared to the Salmonella enterica ssp. Typhimurium. (Table 2), S. typhi and E. coli genome sequence, respectively. Table 2 defines the part of a Salmonella enterica ssp. Typhimurium subgenomic sequence to which the sequenced fragment is identical or nearly identical (insertion). Thus, the gene complex and gene organization of a Salmonella enterica ssp. Typhimurium subgenomic fragment where a lethal insertion has taken place is identified.

[0158] Next, the targeted ORF is identified as well as the operon structure in accordance to the annotations of the Salmonella enterica ssp. Typhimurium, E. coil or S. typhi genomes (Table 2: operon). In addition, the translated sequence of any putative ORF deduced from the sequenced fragment including its flanking regions is compared to the data bases. Identified homologies and operon structures deduced from annotated sequences and/or from experimental studies are stored. Other insertional mutants within the same operon are taken into consideration to identify the obligate essential gene within a gene complex (Table 2: essential gene and classification).

[0159] To identify homologous proteins or domains, the amino acid sequences of the identified obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences are compared to other microbial or eukaryotic genomes using the above mentioned databases (Table 2: homologies). TABLE 2 Target identification as described in the text. No. Insertion Operon Essential gene Classification Homologies 27.13 O1: 93089-93221; P > yifB yifB: putative regulator highly conserved E1: 2866-2998; 2-component among bacteria, C1: 537965- regulator non-human. 28 538097 homologous with an E-value <4E− 35; lowest: identity 41%, positive 58% 14.65 E2A: 145240- P > yigl-rarD rarD: integral cell envelope highly conserved 145404 membrane among bacteria, protein non-human. 18 homologous with an E-value <4E− 17; lowest: identity 25%, positive 47% 13.17 B2B: 215228- P > yciR yciR unknown highly conserved 215530 function among bacteria, non-human. 90 homologous with an E-value <5E− 32; lowest: identity 30%, positive 57% 09.83 B2B: 20473-20734 B1525; dehydrogenase highly conserved putative among bacteria, aldehyde human. dehydrogenase

[0160] Tables 3 and 4: Insertion Sites.

[0161] Table 3:

[0162] Fragments from screening described above were sequenced. Length of sequenced fragments are ˜100-400 bp. The obtained sequences were compared with the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium sequence using a BLAST search program

[0163] (http :/genome.wustl.edu/gsc/Blast/client.pl).

[0164] The first column refers to the number of the sequence.

[0165] The region of the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium genome sequence (http://genome.wustl.edu/pub/qsc1/sequence/st.louis/bacterial/salmonella/S.typhimurium) which is identical or nearly identical (>95%) to the cloned fragment is called insertion. Its beginning and ending is defined by the second and third column, respectively.

[0166] The orientation of the cloned fragment within the vector is described by the fourth column. “0” means that the lac promoter is in front of the start of the insertion and “1” vice versa. The fifth column depicts the gene or gene complex which is affected by the homologous recombination.

[0167] Table 4:

[0168] In Table 4 supplemental data from the screening procedure are disclosed. TABLE 3 Number insertion: start insertion: stop orientation affected gene 037.37 0012931 0013331 0 dnaK (11593-13509): chaperone Hsp70; DNA biosynthesis, autoregulated, heat shock proteins; chaperone Hsp70 in DNA biosynthesis/cell division (1st module) 048.07 0019501 0019901 1 virulenzplasmid; 19420-18899 ?: S. typhimurium hypothetical 11.3 KD protein (GB: Y18434) 053.37 0055517; 0055917; 1;; 1 ileS (53855-56689); isoleucine tRNA 0055228: 0055628; synthetase 0055111 0055511 001.63 0069970 0070370 0 CitE (70000-70869); Citrat-Lyase; operon STM unklar; 019.09 0107431; 0107113 0107831; 1; 0 imp (105810-108170): Organic solvent 0107513 tolerance protein precursor; operon? P > imp-surA-pdxA-ksgA-apaG; polar effect on surA, essential for survival in stationary phase 017.76 0142623; 0143023; 1; 1 ftsl, cell division, septum formation, 0142499 0142899 penicillin-binding protein 3; peptidoglykan-synthetase 008.92 4599589 4599989 0 YjeE (4599871-4600332)-yjeF (4598352-4599899); hypothetische Proteine; P > yjeF-yjeE-amiB-mutL (amiB: N- acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine-amidase), s. 10.36; polar effect?; paper Freiberg 067.80 4611503 4611903 0 vacB (4611048-4613486) 066.67 4636387 4636787 0 ytfE (4636353-4637015) 026.79 4651369 4651769 1 ytfP (4651549-4651893); ytfN (4647767-4651546) truncated? 067.29 4670607 4671007 1 orf (4670344-4671177); truncated? 116.68 4714018 4714418 1 miae (4713327-4714139); ygtA (4714373-4714861) (1) 090.30 4715929 4716329 1 yjgN (4715666-4716853); Nahe tRNA synthetase 047.37 4802826 4803226 0 DnaC (4802774-4803511), DNA biosynthesis; initiation and chain elongation” 067.78 4856084 4856484 0 yjjl (4856163-4856303), lasT (4856703-4857389); putative tRNA/tRNA methyltrans-ferase; orf046, creC-creD- Terminator-dye-orf046 < P-P > (E. coli) 064.57 3199611 3200011 1 lysS (3199208-3200725): lysine tRNA synthetase; P > prfB-lysS 038.81 3201158; 3201558; 0; 0 prfB (3200735-3201616): peptide chain 3201404 3201804 release factor RF-2; P > prfB-lysS 107.77 3246136 3246536 0 kein orf, zw. 7 orf (spezifisch) v. 3240633-3248772) 142.56 3252003 3252403 0 metK (3251682-3252836): methionine adenosyltransferase 1 (AdoMet synthetase) 007.21 3369382 3369782 1 Cca (3369210-3370451); tRNA nucleotidyl transferase; aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification 142.79 337296 337751 1 orf (337095-337835); homolog-455 bpl; BLAST shows homology to two flanking genes! 123.48 3377195 3377595 0 rpoD (3376390-3378237): sigma D (sigma 70) factor of RNA polymerase, major sigma factor during exponential growth (2nd module) 087.44 3447439 3447839 0 csdA (deaD)(3446174-3448114); cysteine sulfinate desulfinase; RNA synthesis, modification, DNA transcription; inducible ATP-independent RNA helicase; P > csdA-mtr?; mtr 062.51 3448153 3448553 0 yhbM (3448242-3449126); verm. polarer Effekt, s. o. 004.39 3453905; 3454305; 1; 0; 1 infB (3453599-3456277); protein chain 3454941; 3455341; initiation factor; P > infB? 3455663 3456063 076.95 3457013; 3457413; 0; 0 nusA (3456302-3457804): RNA 3456460 3456860 synthesis, DNA-transcription; P > yhbC- nusA-infB 087.39 3464882 3465282 0 hflB (3464679-3466613): ATP- dependent zinc-metallo protease (2nd module); Operon? 006.50 3470878 3471278 0 yhbZ (3470208-3471380); hypoth. GTP- bindendes Protein; P > yhbE-yhbZ? S. Loferer 078.78 3566955 3567355 1 rrfD (3566856-3566977) 059.60 3567367; viele 3567767 1; 1 rrlD (3567067-3570060) weitere 065.88 3571505 3571905 1 rrsD (3570452-3571995); 16S rRNA 089.82 3583496 3583896 1 rpoA (3583289-3584278): RNA polymerase alpha subunit 051.65 3585134 3585534 1 rpsM (3585364-3585720); 30S ribosomal subunit protein S13; -rpsK (3584958-3585347): 30S ribosomal subunit protein S11 090.44 3585847 3586247 0 rpmJ (3585867-3585983): 50S ribosomal subunit protein X; -secY (3586015-3587346): preprotein translocase of IISP family, membrane subunit, putative ATPase 052.28 3586056; 3586456; 1; 0; 0; 0; secY (3586043-3587346); 3586043; 3586443; 1; 0; 0; 1 3586421; 3586821; 3586576; 3586976; 3586604; etc 3587004 032.53 3587321; 3587721; 0; 1; 1; 0; rplO (3587354-3587788); 50S ribosomal 3587305; 3587705; 1; 1; 0 subunit protein L15: ribosomale 3587357; 3587757; Proteinsynthese + Promotorregion prlA 3587362; 3587762; (putative ATPase subunit of 3587372; 3587772; translocase); ov prom prlA 112.89 3587624 3588024 1 rpsE; rpmD (3587792-3587971) 076.30 3588100; 3588500; 1; 1 rpsE (3587975-3588478): 30S ribosomal 3588175 3588575 subunit protein S5 067.03 3588867 3589267 0 rplF (3588856-3589389), 50S ribosomal subunit protein L6 111.66 3590030 3590430 1 rplE (3590148-3590687) 013.25 3592116 3592516 1 rplP (3592007-3592417); 50S ribosomal subunit protein L16 141.60 3592250 3592650 0 rplP: 50S ribosomal subunit protein L16; rpsC 089.84 3594291 3594691 0 rplB (3593791-3594612); 50 S ribos. Protein L2 070.33 3595397 3595797 0 rplD (3594929-3595534): 50S ribosomal subunit protein L4 001.78 3595405; 3595805; 0; 1; 0 rplC (3595545-3596174): 50S ribosomal 3595423; 3595823; subunit protein L3; ov rplC/rplD 3595668 3595068 02.83 3600536 3600936 0 fusA (3599546-3601660); -tufA 032.43 3601973 3602373 0 rpsG (3601757-3602227): 30S riboasomal subunit protein S7 045.37 3601994 3602394 0 rpsG-rpsL (30S ribosomal subunit protein S12); ov 017.03 3620872 3621272 0 Fic (3620342-3620944): putative cell filamentation protein, stationary phase induced gene, affects cell division 107.01 3739529 3739929 0 ftsY (3738734-3740209): GTPase domain of cell division membrane protein 003.40 3840048 3840448 1 glyS (3839758-3841827), Beta-UE der Glycin-tRNA-Synthetase, Operon mit glyQ 079.54 3841932 3842332 1 glyQ (3841837-3842748): glycine tRNA synthetase, alpha subunit 048.42 3908804 3909204 1 rfaL (3908278-3909492), O-antigen ligase: P > rfaD-rfaF-rfaC-rfaL; polar effect on rfaD (essential)? 130.60 3915002 3915402 0 rfaB (3914522-3915601): UDP-D- galactose: (glucosyl)lipopolysaccharide- 1,6-D-galactosyltransferase (2nd module) 084.23 3919537 3919937 1 kdtA (3919326-3920603); 3-deoxy-D- manno-octulosonic-acid transferase (KDO transferase); kdtB essential 113.44 3924013; 3924413; 0; 0; 0; 0 dfp (3923506-3924729): flavoprotein 3924053; 3924453; affecting synthesis of DNA and 3924231 3924631 pantothenate metabolism; DNA - replication, repair, restriction/modification 075.63 4039553; 4039953; 0; 1; 1; 1; 1 gyrB (4038843-4041257): DNA 4040395; 4040795; replication, repair, restriction, 4040298; 4040698; modification; P > recF-gyrB 4040749 4041149 140.40 4041401 4041801 1 recF (4041286-4042359): gap repair protein; operon mit gyrB (essential) 063.31 4046410 4046810 0 yidD (4046153-4046410): hypothetical protein: 60iM (4046413-4048059) 60 kD inner membrane protein, P > yidD-thdF? 062.24 4063750 4064150 0 pstS (4063573-4064613): ABC superfamily (bind_prot), high-affinity phosphate transporter 065.88 4100234 4100634 0 rrsC, rrsE, rrsB, rrsA, rrsH, rrsD, rrsG 075.66 4102455; 4102855; 0; 00; 0 rrlC(4104028-4105007) 4102485; 4102885; 4103161; 4103561; 4103533; viele 4103933 weitere 027.13 4106905 4107305 0 yifB (4106851-4108371): putative 2- component regulator, P > yfiB-x < P 132.58 4120506 4120906 0 rep (4119751-4121775): Rep helicase, a single-stranded DNA dependent ATPase (1st module) 002.74 4124626 4125026 1 TrxA (4124822-4125151): cytoplasmic thioredoxin. Biosynthesis of cofactors, carriers: thioredoxin, glutaredoxin, glutathione und/oder downstream rhlB: RNA-Helicase 063.51 4183740; 4184140; 1; 0 yigC (4183584-4185062): putative 4184136 4184536 oxidoreductase; P > yigC-ubi8; polar effect on rfaH? 065.88 4196161 4196561 0 rrsA (4196045-4197586): 16S rRNA 075.66 4198543 4198943 0 rrlA (4198102-4200113): 23S rRNA 064.65 4206439 4206839 1 polA (4206117-4208903): DNA polymerase I 131.34 4216712 4217112 0 orf (4216973-4217401); glnA (4215585-4216994) 4319806 4320206 1 katG (4319569-4321749): catalase; hydroperoxidase HPI(I) 065.88 4351232 4351632 0 rrsB (4351116-4352659) 060.10 4353644 4354044 0 rrl 063.96 4355109 4355509 0 rrlB (4355270-4356166): 23S rRNA 139.24 4357278 4357678 0 murB (4356658-4357686): UDP-N- acetylenolpyruvoylglucosamine reductase 066.11 4365223 4365623 1 rplL (4365211-4365576), Salmonella typhimurium 50S ribosomal protein L7, rplJ-rplL-rpoB-rpoC (STM) 064.84 4365936; 4366336; 1; 0; 0; 0; rpoB (4365894-4369922): RNA- 4365955; 4366355; 1; 1 Polymerase beta UE; P > rpoB-rpoC 4367326; 4367726; 4368581; 4368981 4368628 4369028 062.03 4370453 4370853 0 rpoC (4369999-4374222): RNA polymerase beta subunit, P > rpoB-rpoC 073.34 4384326; 4384726; 1; 0; 0 hemE (4384131-4385195); 4384393; 4384793; uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, 4384774 4385174 P > yjaD-hemE-nfi-yjaG-P > 065.88 4394777 4395177 0 rrsE (4394661-4396205): 16S rRNA 075.66 4397038 4397438 0 rrlE (4396597-4398608): 23S rRNA 062.23 4399002; 4399402; 0; 0 rrlX: 23S ribosomal RNA 4399188 4399588 010.49 4479697 4480097 1 spi4_c (4479849-4481168); ABC exporter outer membrane component homolog? 041.27 4500041 4500441 1 Spi4_R = LtkB: ABC-transporter, leukotoxin expression protein B; operon 059.26 4517808 4518208 0 NrfB: formate-dependent nitrite reductase; a penta-haeme cytochrome c; P > nrfABCDEFG 132.25 4575579 4575979 1 mopA (4575096-4576742): chaperone Hsp60 with peptide-dependent ATPase activity, affects cell division 121.51 4586654 4587054 0 yjeA (4586080-4587057): putative pyruvate oxidase (lysyl-tRNA synthetase) 043.60 0144044 0144444 1 murE, meso-diaminopimelate-adding enzyme 118.75 0147040 0147440 0 mraY (146315-147397): phospho-N- acetylmuramoyl-pentapeptide transferase 096.50 0147461 0148716 1 murD (147400-148716): UDP-N- acetylmuramoylalanine-D-glutamate ligase 048.68 0149596; 0149996; 1 ftsW, murG. 0149310 0149710 006.53 0150261 0150661 0 murG 086.08 0151299; 0151699; 1; 0; 1 MurC(151143-152618): L-alanine adding 0151367; 0151767; enzyme, UDP-N-acetyl- 0151731 0152131 muramate: alanine ligase; operon: P > murF-ftsl-murE-murF-P?-mraY-murD- ftsW-murG-murC-ddlB-PQ-ftsA-ftsZ 125.85 0152611 0153531 0 ftsA (0154360-0155622): ATP-binding cell division protein, septation process, complexes with FtsZ 013.09 0153292 0153692 1 ddlB; D-alanine-D-alanine ligase B, affects cell division; polar effect on transcription of ftsQ, ftsA, ftsZ 118.37 0156014 0156414 0 ftsZ (155883-156834): tubulin-like GTP- binding protein and GTPase, forms circumferential ring in cell division 005.53 0180996; 0181396; 1; 1 lpdA (181007-182431), Lipoamid- 0181176 0181576 Dehydrogenase im 2- Oxodehydrogenase- u. Pyruvatkomplex, L-Prot; P > lpdA 022.64 0198916 0199316 0 gcd (198220-200610): glucose dehydrogenase; P > gcd 133.23 0254990 0255390 1 rpsB (0254297-0255022): 30S ribosomal subunit protein S2; tsf (0255280-0256131): protein chain elongation factor EF-Ts 087.21 0263270; 0263670; 0; 0; 0 yaeT (262379-264793): hypoth. Protein 0264092; 0264492; of unknown function; P > cdsA-yaeL- 0263189; 0263589; yaeT; polar effect on lpxD (essential)? 0264247 0264647 053.52 0266981 0267381 1 LpxA (266995-267783): UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase; P > lpxA-lpxB-rnhB-dnaE (RNA polymerase III) 119.18 0273170; 0273570; 0; 1; 0 accA (273043-274002): acetylCoA 0273195; 0273595; carboxylase, carboxytransferase, 0273297 0273697 component, alpha subunit; P > accA 65.88 0289281 0289688 0 rrsH (289189-290732): 16S rRNA 75.66 0291661; viele 0292061 0; 1; 0 rrlH (291244-294336): 23S rRNA weitere: s. Tab. 3 045.43 0298049 0298449 1 yafD (298240-299019); hypothetical protein, yafC-P > yafD-yafE 040.95 0308111 0308511 1 orf: 306723-308606; operon? P > orf-orf2 (305731-306726)-orf3 (304665-305720) 001.11 0328412 0328812 1 orf: 327730-328518, 328545-328931 017.53 0336058 0336458 0 orf: 332551-336645 017.53 0337263; 0337463; 0; 1 orf: 337095-337835 0337338 0337738 017.53 0339735 0340135 0 orf: 340044-340352 141.87 0344954 0345354 1 orf (0343566-0346076) 015.89 0387213; 0387613; 1; 0 orf: 387133-388683; operon? P > orf-orf 0388227 0388627 (388783-389526)-orf (389499-389987) 114.48 0389348; 0389748; 0; 1 orf (388783-389526), orf (389499-389987) 0388794 0389194 044.95 0433005 0433405 1 yaiY (432726-433034), yaiZ (433302-433517); bzw. yaiW (431594-432688)- 44.85 nn(b0379)-P-nn(b0380)-ddlA-nn- 053.54 0451218 0451618 0 phoB (450795-451484)-phoR (451554-452849); P > phoB-phoR; survival in stationary phase 019.33 0464647 0465047 1 secF (464189-465160): protein secretion, membrane protein; P > yajC- secD-secF? 023.96 0475748 0476148 0 dxs (474630-476492): 1-deoxyxylulose-5- phosphate synthase Central intermediary metabolism: Pool, multipurpose conversions; P > ORF-ispA- dxs-yajO 120.47 0493014 0493414 1 orf (0491989-0493272) 114.44 0494170 0494570 1 cyoE (493354-494244): protohaeme IX famesyltransferase (haeme O biosynthesis); cyoD (494256-494585): cytochrome o ubiquinol oxidase subunit IV; polar effect on orf? S. o. 041.38 0504469 0504859 0 ClpX (504085-505356): ATP-dependent specificity component of clpP serine protease, chaperone; P > clpP-clpX-P > lon 098.87 0529331 0529731 1 acrB (529247-532396): RND family, acridine efflux pump; gyrB mutant 140.25 0546815; 0547215; 1; 1 hemH (0546914-0547876): 0547820 0547220 ferrochelatase 092.44 0597932 0598332 1 lpxH (597742-598464): UDP-2,3- diacylglucosamine hydrolase 127.23 0602850 0603250 0 folD (0602701-0603567): bifunctional 5, 10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase and 5, 10-methylene- tetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase; polar effect? 006.91 0616098 0616498 0 orf (614803-616455); Homologien zu cytochrom c oxidase, RNA helicase, oxidoreductase, permease 138.14 0662114 0662514 1 cstA (0661273-0663378): carbon starvation protein 065.56 0667126 667526 1 ybdN (666641-667876) 130.42 0678014 0678414 0 ybdR (678022-679260): putative dehydrogenase 063.08 0708021 0708421 1 holA (707488-708519): DNA-polymerase III delta subunit, P > leuS-rlpB-holA-ybeN? 052.92 0731768 0732168 1 ybeX (731729-732607): integral membrane; P > ybeY-ybeX-Int 141.92 0829294 0829694 1 orf (828570-829817) 020.43 0878747 0879147 0 YbhP (0)(878349-879107)): hypothetisches Protein, ybhN-ybhO- ybhP < P-ybhQ (879240-879650)-P-ybhR- yhiH 049.22 0921086 0921486 1 yliB (920004-921542); P > yliB-yliC-yliD 016.91 0929106 0929506 1 orf (928719-929882), AcylCoA- dehydrogenase, Pseudomonas: PA0879?? 009.65 0931253 0931653 1 orf (930394-932016) Oxidoreductase; flavoprotein ubiquinone oxidoreductase? 136.34 0955409 0955809 1 orf (954543-955868); P > orf-orf2-orf3 016.82 0960461 0960861 1 Artl (960293-961024): arginine 3rd transport system periplasmic binding protein; ABC transporter, P > artP-artI- artQ-artM..? 025.70 1007534; 1007934; 0; 1 ybjT (1007622-1009055): putative 1007594 1007994 dTDP-glucose enzyme; orf-ybjT < P; polar effect? 066.03 1027553; 1027953; 0 ycaC (1027678-1028355); polar effect 1027512 1027912 on serW (1027440-1027524): serin tRNA? 088.15 1063508 1063908 0 aroA (1062633-1063916):3- enolpyruvylshikimate-5-phosphate synthetase; polar effect on heat shock protein ycaL? 059.56 1070253; 1070653; 1; 0; 1 MsbA (1070434-1072182): ATP-binding 1071631; 1072031; transport protein; ABC-transporter; 1070670 1071070 multicopy suppressor of htrB; transport of small molecules; P > ycal-msbA-lpxK- ycaQ-ycaR 115.84 1074868 1075268 1 kdsB (1074663-1075409): CTP:CMP-3- deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate transferase 031.69 1078525; 1078925; 0; 1 mukF (1078201-1079523): killing factor, 1078916 1079316 cell division; P > smtA-mukF-mukE-mukB 031.34 1092505 1092905 0 asnS (1091478-1092878): Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases 125.92 1095712 1096112 0 orf (1095316-1096752) 027.15 1101114 1101514 1 recE (1100135-1101292), (1101255-1104140) exodeoxyribonuclease VIII recE; P > racC-recE-FUN? 074.30 1113807 1114207 0 orf: (1113934-1114446) keine Homologie zu E. coli 011.14 1122016 1122416 0 orf: 1120665-1122746 026.65 1184282 1184682 1 copR 1183635-1184381); orf (1184451-1184861) b1970: transthyretin like protein precursor. Reductase. P > copR- copS 087.94 1205128 1205528 1 wrbA (1205221-1205817)-yccJ (1204973-1205200) 007.19 1217392 1217792 1 orf (1216439-1217935) 083.80 1218315 1218715 1 orf (1218272-1218952) 057.54 1222717 1223117 0 orf (1221639-1222919); orf (1222930-1224036) 112.65 1245246 1245646 0 ycel (1244858-1245433); orf (1245430-1246002) 017.28 1255734 1256134 1 MviN (1254962-1256536); putative virulence factor (STM) 035.26 1262791 1263191 0 flgH (1262644-1263342), Operon mit weiteren Flagellen-Genen. P > flgBCDEFGHIJKL 057.43 1262844 1263244 1 flgH, flgI 062.37 1274223 1274623 0 yceF (1274489-1275073) 105.01 1279415; 1279815; 0; 0 fabG (1279221-1279955): 3-oxoacyl- 1279426 1279826 reductase; P > plsX-fabH-fabD-acpP- fabF; fatty acid biosynthesis 070.77 1282057 1282457 1 pabC (1281798-1282607), 4-amino-4- deoxychorismate lyase; P > pabC-yceG-P- tmk (essential)-holB (essential)-ycfH; pabC-mutant requires PABA (p- aminobenzoate) 008.77 1283645 1284045 0 tmk (1283622-1284263); thymidylate kinase-replication 059.17 1320672; 1321072; 0; 1; 0 purB (1319485-1320855); adenylo- 1320427; 1320827; succinate lyase; ycfC (1320859-1321500). 1319485 1320855 purB non-essential, trmU essential; polar effect?; s. a. lpxH (600K) 088.92 1324663; 1325063; 1; 0 icdA (1324383-1325633): isocitrate 1324724 1325124 dehydrogenase in e14 prophage. specific for NADP+ 045.18 1331865 1332265 1 pagD (1331174-1331437); pagC (1332249-1332806) 068.91 1337846 1338246 1 orf (1337446-1337976); orf (1338125-1338439) 070.35 1376224 1376624 0 selD (1375600-1376649): selenophosphate synthase, H(2) Se added to acrylyl-tRNA; P > ydjA-selD- topB-(topoisomerase III); polar effect on topB 121.64 1413982 1414382 0 thrS (1412199-1414127): threonine tRNA synthetase (2nd module) 011.81 1416693; 1417093 1; 0; 1; 0 PheT (1416674-1419061); phenylalanine 1416800; 1417200; tRNA synthetase, beta-subunit oder 1417262; 1417662; himA (DNA-Replikation); P > pheT-himA 1418461 1418861 070.87 1449112 1449512 0 ydiJ (1446501-1449557): putative paral oxidase; P > ydiJ-ybdB-ydiH 072.74 1480919 1481319 1 spiA (1480399-1481892); P > spiA 065.40 1485585 1485985 0 sseC (1484994-1486448); polar effect on sseD? 113.67 1501147 1501547 1 ssaU (1500428-1501486); upstream: tRNAVal; polar effect? 014.38 1512482 1512882 0 gloA (1512447-1512854): lactoylglutathione lyase; P > gloA-mt (RNase T, degrades tRNA, has exonuclease and ssDNAseactivity); polar effect on mt? 028.89 1530500 1530900 1 ydgO (1530508-1531566); polar effect? P > ydgO-ydgP-ydgQ-nth 089.62 1550161 1550561 0 ompN (1549673-1550806); P > ompN- FUN?; umgeben von regulatory system (ompR family) 066.28 1591866 1592266 0 yciG (1592069-1592251), ydfH-ydfG- P > dcp-yciG-P-ydcJ (STY) 009.83 1601741 1602141 0 ynel (1601178-1602566), B1525; putative succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, P > b1525-P > 014.07 1610755 1611155 1 hyaD (1610683-1611291): hydrogenase 1 maturation protease; P > hyaA ... hyaF 098.42 1618929 1619329 0 orf (1618315-1619601) 119.17 1627904 1628304 1; 1 orf (1627914-1628822): 009.47 1633672 1634072 0 orf (1633276-1634727); Hypothetischer Na/H-Antiporter; putatives Transmembran-Transportprotein; geringe Homologie 125.26 1639682 1640082 1 orf (1638187-1640715) 024.31 1658266 1658666 1 orf (1656805-1658292; orf (1658410-1658988); probable transcriptional regulator 089.17 1664180 1664580 1 narZ (1660683-1664423)-narY (1664420-1665964); narZ required for long-term starvation-survival 011.48 1664856 1665256 0 narY/narH; nitrate reductase beta-UE; narZYV, minor nitrate reductase; P > narU-narZ-narY-narW-narV-yddE? 042.26 1727005 1727405 0 orf (1726871-1728421) 014.13 1731287 1731687 0 hrpA (1731329-1735231): ATP- dependent Helicase; P > hrpA-ydcF; polar effect on ydcF? 131.63 1741057 1741457 1 hslJ (1741124-1741534): heat shock protein hslJ 028.68 1757740 1758140 0 orf (1757884-1758486) methyltransferase? 136.26 1791749 1792149 1 ycjE (1791714-1792013); fabl (1792131-1792919): enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (NADH); fabl essential 013.17 1796398 1796798 1 YciR (1796537-1798519); P > yciR; gegenstrang: ynaJ (1756761-1757798) 068.19 1801641 1802041 0 yciM (1801510-1802679), hyp. Heat shock protein, P > yciS-yciM-P > 079.16 1843617 1844017 1 adhE (1843123-1845801): CoA-linked acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and iron- dependent alcohol dehydrogenase; pyruvate-formate-lyase deactivase; P > adhE 044.34 1850066; 1850466; 1; 1 ychK (1850038-1850943): P > ychK- 1850477 1850877 mviA? S. a. mviN 079.93 1853277, 0 Nahe tyrT (1852565-1852646), tyrV 1853452, (1852854-1852935): tyrosine tRNA; 1853103, unklar 1852929 089.17 1858271 1858671 0 narH (1856876-1858411)-narG (1858408-1862151) 007.22 1879280; 1879680; 1; 0 YchM (1878852-1880513); hypothetical 1879650 1880050 sulfate: proton symporter (S, typhi), unknown function; P > ychM-ychH < P 077.32 1917904; 1918304; 0; 0 yeaZ (1917760-1918455), P > yoaA-yeaZ- 1918052 1918452 orf, Promoter-lacZ? 008.66 1920897 1921297 0 yoaH (1920904-1921083); P > pabB- yeaB; yoaB (1920554-1920898) (0)rev.; s. a. pabC (1282057) 134.86 1927593 1927993 1 yoaE (1926499-1928055): Sequenz nur 85% 064.81 1941228 1941628 0 prc (1941129-1943177): carboxy- terminal protease for penicillin-binding protein 3; P > proQ-prc? 019.86 1963367 1963767 0 mig-3 (1963471-1964352) 007.13 1989745 1990145 1 ruvA (1990068-1990679)-ruvB (1989049-1990059), Holliday junction helicase subunit B resp. A (branch migration, repair); essential in dam 084.67 1995747 1996147 1 aspS (1995106-1996878): aspartate tRNA synthetase; P > aspS 019.48 2017315 2017715 0 cheA (2017173-2019188): Chemotaxis and mobility; sensory transducer kinase between chemo-signal; P > motA-motB- cheA-cheW? 014.67 2041538 2041938 0 YecS (2041356-2042024): putative transport system permease protein; P- yedO-P?-yecS-P?-yceC-P 023.95 2141346 2141746 1 sopA (2141565-2143913); Secreted protein; S. dublin; polar effect on phsABC? 118.44 2144003 2144403 1 sbcB (2144256-2145686): exonuclease I, 3′ → 5′ specific; deoxyribophosphodiesterase 118.53 2145760 2146160 0 yeeF (2145822-2147186): putative APC family, amino acid transport protein; polarer Effekt? 110.96 2155763 2156163 0 hisF (2155365-2156141): imidazole glycerol phosphate synthase, subunit with HisH 034.84 2163175 2163575 0 rfbK (2162428-2163861): (manB), phosphomannomutase; (S. enterica); P > rfbK-ORF261-ORF431-ORF708- mtfABC 118.57 2168012 2168412 1 rfbV(2167614-2168615) 077.18 2193768 2194168 1 wcaF (2193743-2194297): putative transferase; P > wcaDEFGHIJ . . . ? 079.35 2195255 2195655 0 wcaD (2195072-2196286): putative glycosyl transferase in colanic acid biosynthesis 053.94 2248264; 2248664; 0 mrp (2248460-2249569): putative ATP- 2248825 2249225 binding protein; yehE (2247901-2248182) 085.03 2250136 2250536 0 metG (2249653-2251767): methionine tRNA synthetase 082.65 2286756 2287156 0 mglB (2286613-2287611): ABC superfamily galactose transport protein; polar effect 092.68 2322398 2322798 0 bcr (2322477-2323667): MFS family multidrug transport protein, bicyclomycin resistance protein (2nd module); polar effect on rsuA (2323695-2324390)(1): 16S rRNA pseudouridylate 516 008.44 2340969 2341369 0 H2 (2340879-2343245), SspH1; secreted protein; operon? 139.78 2356393 2356793 1 napA (2356412-2358898): periplasmic nitrate reductase, large subunit, in complex with NapB 114.62 2370454 2370854 0 rcsC (2370739-2373585)(−): sensory histidine kinase in two-component regulatory regulates colanic capsule biosynthesis; rcsB (2369986-2370636) + response regulator (positive) in two- 085.90 2374649 2375049 0 gyrA (2373703-2376339): DNA gyrase, subunit A, type II topoisomerase 077.50 2377384 2377784 0 orf2 2376749-2377951): orf1 (2377966-2379291) 018.33 2377791 2378191 1 orf1 133.76 2399418 2399818 1 yfaX (2399425-2400207) 091.45 2402940 2403340 0 pmrG (2403059-2403664): polymyxin resistance protein G; yfaO (2402589-2403014) 039.68 2488418 2488818 0 fabB (2488614-2489828): 3-oxoacyl- [acyl-carrier-protein] synthase I; orf (2487860-2488516); survival in stationary phase; ts-mutant 005.35 2502143 2502543 0 fadL (2502381-2503694): transport of long-chain fatty acids; survival in stationary phase 131.69 2539341 2539741 0 lig (2538993-2541008): DNA-Ligase 013.28 2598117 2598517 1 DapE (2597686-2598813): N-succinyl- diaminopimelate deacylase 003.94 2610290 2610690 0 yfgE (2609852-2610577), uraA (2610648-2611937) 042.53 2647762 2648162 0 sinI (2647584-2648543) 016.85 2652282; 2652682; 1; 0; 0 engA (2651449-2652921): putative GTP- 2652505; 2652905; binding factor; EngA s. paper 2652553 2652953 080.08 2655093 2655493 1 hisS (2654863-2656137): histidin-tRNA synthetase; P? 133.20 2763882 2764282 0 orf (2763703-2764314) 001.25 2787446 2787846 1 yfif (2787405-2788442); hypoth. TRNA/rRNA methyltransferase 119.40 2793563 2793963 1 pssA (2792647-2794001): phosphatidylserine synthase (CDP- diacylglycerol-serine O- phosphatidyltransferase) (2nd module); E. coli must be supplemented with 078.78 2796631 2797031 1 rrfG (2796433-2796554): 5SrRNA 059.60 2797043; viele 2797443 1; 1; 0; 1; 1 rrlG (2796748-2799757) weitere 065.88 2801158 2801558 1 rrsG (2800114-2801653); 16S rRNA 072.88 2815439 2815839 0 TrmD (2815250-2816017): aminoacyl tRNA synthetase; tRNA methyltransferase; P > rpoP-rimM-?-trmD- rplS 038.82 2821376; 2821776; 1; 0 orf (2820936-2821541); grpE (2821576-2822160): 2821390 2821790 phage lambda replication; host DNA synthesis; heat shock protein; protein repair; P > grpE 093.21 2972914 2973314 1 alaS (2971360-2973990): alanyl-tRNA synthetase 026.67 3025863 3026263 1 sipA (3024668-3026725); P > sipC-sipD- sipA-sipF? 029.64 3050104 3050504 1 mutS (3050268-3052835): mismatch repair, orf (3049588-3050109) (1), or cysD/cysN 054.71 3056391 3056791 0 orf (3055538-3057034) 073.50 3098077 3098477 0 eno (3097353-3098651), enolase, enzyme; Energy metabolism, carbon: Glycolysis, P > ygcG-eno-pyrG < P (E.coli); essential (ts) 057.87 3098451; 3098851; 1; 0; 1; 0 PyrG (3098734-3100371): Nucleotide 3099550; 3099950; interconversions; CTP synthetase; 3099954; 3100354; P > pyrG-eno; polar effect on 3099237 3099637 eno(essential) 014.65 3138341 3138741 0 orf (3137893-3138780) 137.07 3154480 3154880 1 recC (3152701-3156072): exonuclease V, subunit 131.26 3171641 3172041 1 orf (3171562-3172674)

[0169] TABLE 4 fragment fragment orien- number start stop tation 048.07 0019501 0019901 1 001.63 0069970 0070370 0 019.09 0107431 0107831 1 005.53 0180996 0181396 1 022.64 0198916 0199316 0 087.21 0263270 0263670 0 045.43 0298049 0298449 1 040.95 0308111 0308511 1 017.53 0337263 0337463 0 142.79 0337351 0337751 1 141.87 0344954 0345354 1 015.89 0387213 0387613 1 114.48 0389348 0389748 0 126.37 0389385 0389785 0 044.95 0433005 0433405 1 053.54 0451218 0451618 0 120.47 0493014 0493414 1 114.44 0494170 0494570 1 041.38 0504459 0504859 0 098.87 0529331 0529731 1 092.44 0597932 0598332 1 127.23 0602850 0603250 0 006.91 0616098 0616498 0 138.14 0662114 0662514 1 065.56 0667126 667526 1 130.42 0678014 0678414 0 144.58 0789956 0790356 1 141.92 0829294 0829694 1 020.90 0854459 0854859 0 020.43 0878747 0879147 0 049.22 0921086 0921486 1 016.91 0929106 0929506 1 009.65 0931253 0931653 1 064.06 0952628 0953028 1 136.34 0955409 0955809 1 025.70 1007534 1007934 0 088.15 1063508 1063908 0 125.92 1095712 1096112 0 007.22 1879280 1879680 1 077.32 1917904 1918304 0 008.66 1920897 1921297 0 134.86 1927593 1927993 1 064.81 1941228 1941628 0 055.61 1950548 1950948 0 064.86 1950566 1950966 1 019.86 1963367 1963767 0 019.48 2017315 2017715 0 014.67 2041538 2041938 0 023.95 2141346 2141746 1 118.44 2144003 2144403 1 118.53 2145760 2146160 0 110.96 2155763 2156163 0 034.84 2163175 2163575 0 118.57 2168012 2168412 1 077.18 2193768 2194168 1 079.35 2195255 2195655 0 032.78 2236668 2237068 1 053.94 2248264 2248664 0 092.68 2322398 2322798 0 139.78 2356393 2356793 1 114.62 2370454 2370854 0 077.50 2377384 2377784 0 018.33 2377791 2378191 1 133.76 2399418 2399818 1 039.68 2488418 2488818 0 005.35 2502143 2502543 0 076.64 2522598 2522198 1 040.36 2548092 2548492 1 003.94 2610290 2610690 0 133.20 2763882 2764282 0 027.15 2773624 2774024 0 001.25 2787446 2787846 1 053.61 2968054 2968454 0 065.04 3010261 3010661 1 026.67 3025863 3026263 1 067.48 3030094 3030494 1 054.71 3056391 3056791 0 131.26 3171641 3172041 1 027.15 1101114 1101514 1 074.30 1113807 1114207 0 049.09 1138706 1139106 0 026.65 1184282 1184682 1 087.94 1205128 1205528 1 007.19 1217392 1217792 1 083.80 1218315 1218715 1 057.54 1222717 1223117 0 064.21 1231333 1231733 1 112.65 1245246 1245646 0 062.37 1274223 1274623 0 088.92 1324663 1325063 1 045.18 1331865 1332265 1 068.91 1337846 1338246 1 129.25 1436521 1436921 0 061.66 1441503 1441903 1 030.54 1472976 1473376 1 014.38 1512482 1512882 0 028.89 1530500 1530900 1 089.62 1550161 1550561 0 066.28 1591866 1592266 0 009.83 1601741 1602141 0 098.42 1618929 1619329 0 119.17 1627904 1628304 1 009.47 1633672 1634072 0 125.26 1639682 1640082 1 144.05 1642004 1642404 1 024.31 1658266 1658666 1 089.17 1664180 1664580 1 042.26 1727005 1727405 0 131.63 1741057 1741457 1 028.68 1757740 1758140 0 013.17 1796398 1796798 1 068.19 1801641 1802041 0 079.16 1843617 1844017 1 044.34 1850066 1850466 1 089.17 1858271 1858671 0 007.22 1879280 1879680 1 039.33 3125329 3125729 0 014.65 3138341 3138741 0 137.07 3154480 3154880 1 033.16 3186873 3187273 0 107.77 3246136 3246536 0 037.49 3249369 3249769 0 142.56 3252003 3252403 0 040.48 3310886 3311286 0 087.44 3447439 3447839 0 062.51 3448153 3448553 o 069.22 3508826 3509226 0 048.42 3908804 3909204 1 129.28 3908870 3909270 1 130.60 3915002 3915402 0 063.31 4046410 4046810 0 062.24 4063750 4064150 0 027.13 4106905 4107305 0 132.58 4120506 4120906 0 002.74 41241626 4125026 1 063.51 4183/40 4184140 1 038.30 4184136 4184536 0 131.34 4216712 4217112 0 4319806 4320206 1 073.34 4384326 4384726 1 053.29 4386101 4386501 0 010.49 4479697 4480097 1 126.89 4497591 4497991 1 041.27 4500041 4500441 1 057.88 4506243 4506643 1 059.26 4517808 4518208 0 061.57 4549863 4550263 0 121.51 4586654 4587054 0 010.36 4606191 4606591 1 067.80 4611503 4611903 0 066.67 4636387 4636787 0 026.79 4651369 4651769 1 067.29 4670607 4671007 1 116.68 4714018 4714418 1 090.30 4715929 4716329 1 067.78 4856084 4856484 0

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1. Method for the identification of obligatory essential microbial nucleic acid sequences comprising the steps (a) providing a conditionally replicating vector, comprising (i) a conditionally replicating origin of replication (ii) a selectable marker (iii) nucleic acid sequences of a microorganism (b) transforming microbial host cells with said conditionally replicating vector, wherein the host cell is selected such that the nucleic acid sequence of (a) (iii) is sufficiently homologous to an endogenous nucleic acid sequence of the host cell in order to allow homologous recombination (c) subjecting the transformed host cells to insertional duplication mutagenesis by homologous recombination, resulting in viable and non viable (lethal) integrants (d) identifying lethal integrants (e) characterizing nucleic acid sequences from lethal integrants and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are obligatory essential for the viability of said microorganism.
 2. Method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises a substantially genome saturating mutagenesis.
 3. Method of claim 1 or 2, wherein said nucleic acid sequence of step (a) is derived from a microorganism selected from bacteria and yeast, particularly Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.
 4. Method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein insertional duplication mutagenesis of step (c) takes place under permissive conditions, allowing the replication of the vector provided in step (a).
 5. Method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein identifying lethal integrants of step (d) is performed by replica plating.
 6. Method of claim 5, wherein replica plating is performed using permissive arid non-permissive conditions and lethal integrants are identified by separating viable and non viable integrants of step (c) under permissive conditions versus non-permissive conditions,
 7. Method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein characterizing the lethal integrants in step (e) comprises a nucleic acid amplification, particularly polymerase chain reaction.
 8. Method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein characterizing nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides encoded thereby which are obligatory essential for the viability of said microorganism comprises comparative genomics.
 9. Method of claim 7, wherein comparative genomics comprises the identification of orthologs.
 10. Use of the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 for the identification and/or priorization of drug targets in microorganism.
 11. Nucleic acid, obtainable by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising an obligatory essential microbial sequence, particularly for the identification of an antimicrobial compound.
 12. Nucleic acid of claim 11, comprising (a) a sequence derived form a region as shown in Table 3 in operative linkage to 5 kbp upstream or downstream or preferably 1 kbp upstream or downstram to this region, the complement thereof, an ortholog or a protein coding fragment thereof (b) a sequence of (a) comprising degeneration of the genetic code or (c) a sequence hybridizing under stringent conditions with one of the sequences of (a) and/or (b).
 13. Obligatory essential microbial nucleic acid, comprising (a) a sequence derived form a region as shown in Table 3 in operative linkage to 5 kbp upstream or downstream or preferably 1 kbp upstream or downstram to this region, the complement thereof, an ortholog or a protein coding fragment thereof, (b) a sequence of (a) comprising degeneration of the genetic code or (c) a sequence hybridizing under stringent conditions with one of the sequences of (a) and/or (b).
 14. Nucleic acid array, comprising at least two nucleic acids of claims 11 to
 13. 15. Vector, comprising at least one nucleic acid of any one of claims 11 to 13 or a fragment thereof.
 16. Cell, transformed with a nucleic acid of any one of claims 11 to 13 or a vector of claim
 15. 17. Bank of transformants, comprising a plurality of microorganisms, transformed With a vector of claim
 15. 18. Polypeptide, (a) encoded by a nucleic acid of any one of claims 11 to 13, a fragment or derivative thereof or (b) encoded by a sequence which is homologous to the sequence of one of the nucleic acids of claims 11 to 13, a fragment or derivative thereof.
 19. Complex of at least one polypeptide of claim 18 or a fragment thereof with at least one other polypeptide.
 20. Antibody, specific for a polypeptide or fragment thereof of claim
 18. 21. Use of a nucleic acid of any one of claims 1 to 13 as a drug target.
 22. Use of a nucleic acid of any one of claims 11 to 13 for the identification of homologous nucleic acid in other microorganisms.
 23. Use of a polypeptide of claim 18 as a drug target.
 24. Use of a complex of claim 19 as a drug target.
 25. Use of an antibody of claim 20 for the identification of a drug target, wherein said drug target comprises at least one polypeptide of claim 18 or a fragment thereof, optionally complexed with at least one other polypeptide.
 26. Method for the identification of essential nucleic acid sequences comprising genome-saturating mutagenesis.
 27. Method for,the screening and/or identification of an antimicrobial compound, wherein a nucleic acid according to any of the claims 11 to 13 and/or a polypeptide of claim 18 or corresponding fragment thereof is used.
 28. Method of claim 27, comprising the steps: (a) providing an obligatory essential nucleic acid sequence, an ortholog and/or polypeptide;encoded thereby and (b) identifying a compound capable of modulating the activity thereof.
 29. Method of claim 21 or 28, wherein step (b) comprises: (i) contacting the nucleic acid and/or the polypeptide or a corresponding fragment thereof with one or more test compounds and (ii) determining whether said test compounds binds to said nucleic acid or said polypeptide.
 30. Method of claim 27 or 28, wherein step (b) compound comprises: (i) contacting a bacterial cell with one or more test compounds and (ii) determining whether said contacting leads to cell growth inhibition and/or cell death.
 31. Method of any one of claims 27 30, wherein said compound is an antagonist or inhibitor.
 32. Method of any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein said compound is further modified, e. g., by peptidomimetics or by applying phage display or combinatorial library techniques.
 33. Compound, obtainable by the method of claims 27 to
 32. 34. Compound, capable of specific binding to one or more nucleic acids of anyone of claims 11 to 13 and/or to a polypeptide or fragment thereof of claim
 18. 35. Compound of claim 34, capable of reducing microbial growth and/or causing microbial death.
 36. Kit, comprising one or more nucleic acids of any one of claims 11 to 13 and/or one or more polypeptide of claim 18 and/or one or more compounds for the performance of claim
 27. 37. Composition, comprising as active agent (a) a nucleic acid of claims 11 to 13 (b) a vector of claim 15 (c) a cell of claim 16 (d) an antibody of claim 18 and/or (e) a compound of claims 33 to
 35. 38. Composition of claim 37 for pharmaceutical use, optionally in a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 39. Pharmaceutical composition of claim 38, comprising a further active ingredient, e. g., an antibiotic and/or cytokine.
 40. Use of a composition according to any one of the claims 37 to 39 for the prevention and/or therapy, of microbial infections.
 41. Use of claim 40, comprising inactivation and/or death of microorganisms by modulating the activity of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences or polypeptides encoded thereby. 